Abu Dhabi police foil attempt to sell smuggled antiquities

Abu Dhabi Police said on Tuesday that it has foiled an attempt to sell antiquities smuggled into the country by three Arab nationals.

Following a tip-off, the CID squad monitored the movements of the gang members, and confirmed that they possessed the antiquities including manuscripts, daggers, gemstones and ancient coins, news agency WAM reported.

It quoted Dr Rashid Bu Rasheed, director of CID at the Abu Dhabi Police, as saying that the suspects had been trying to sell the items at a premium.

The CID squad swooped on the suspects at a hotel in Abu Dhabi and seized the antiquities, Bu Rasheed said. They were referred to the competent authorities for interrogation as per established legal procedures, he added.

"This act is an infringement on property and human cultural heritage protected by international laws and norms," Bu Rasheed said.

Abu Dhabi said it would pursue and prosecute all those who try to sell such acquisitions.